Don Glynn: Leaf peepers find show lacks luster

Despite how travel industry publicists aggressively promote the spectacular fall colors, the fact remains that the foliage is generally dull in many places.

Don Glynn

Despite how travel industry publicists aggressively promote the spectacular fall colors, the fact remains that the foliage is generally dull in many places.

The Albany-based Department of Economic Development, which releases weekly reports on the changing outdoor scene, notes that peak colors have been slow coming to Niagara County. In case you didn’t notice, there has been more than an 80 percent change in the colors.

An “official observer” of the annual show describes our yellow, gold, orange, green and red leaves of “average brilliance.” In a word, you shouldn’t worry about bumper-to-bumper traffic along many rural roads.

Orleans County is approaching a 65 percent color change, with what has been delicately described as “dull shades” of yellow and orange, mixed in with the remaining green leaves.

In many towns across the Empire State, the colors appear not as vibrant as in past years, making it more difficult to determine the period of peak foliage.

A dry spell for a good part of the summer obviously affected the foliage. Temperatures, precipitation and other factors always determine the brilliance of the colors displayed.

A check of several regions in the East indicates that tourism operators – like bed-and-breakfast owners – are still optimistic that tourists will take to the roads.

While the foliage outlook isn’t all that encouraging in other states, Vermont still has much to enjoy, if you listen to the latest updates from the Green Mountain State tourism department.

Closer to home, Letchworth State Park in Wyoming County also offers a beautiful range of colors, although the transition has indeed been slow this year.

Meanwhile, if you’re wondering about color changes in a specific region in New York, you can call the New York State Travel Information Center at 1-800-CALL-NYS.

Risky route

Now that their dollar is at par with the U.S. currency, countless Canadians are making more daily shopping trips across the border.

As a result, there are often lengthy backups at the international spans, especially along the 1-190 (Niagara Expressway) when the Ontario motorists head home via the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.

Rather than waiting for traffic to move, some impatient drivers bound for the Military Road exit will simply pull out of line and drive 40 to 50 mph on the shoulder.

A word of warning from a veteran police officer: That’s a moving violation and you could end up paying a stiff fine in traffic court. It’s also putting other motorists at risk by enticing them to suddenly take the same short cut.

Off the press

“Western New York 101: The 101 Greatest Moments in Buffalo History,” by Dan Murphy (Western New York Wares, paperback, $14.95) covers a lot of bases, from the Five Nations Confederacy in 1451 to the Goo Goo Dolls performing in Niagara Square in 2004.

Murphy, a Tonawanda-based writer, also focuses on the Pan-American Exposition, the Super Bowl, the opening of the Erie Canal and the daredevils who challenged Niagara, among other fascinating episodes in our area.

A safe bet?

According to inside sources, the Fort Erie, Ont., Race Track will be open in 2008.

Although the provincial government has apparently offered a solution to keeping the track operating, Nordic Gaming, the owner will still have to consider the government proposal.

A real barrier

Overheard in Gadawski’s Restaurant: “We need a president in this country who is fluent in at least one language.” – a customer reflecting on George Bush’s latest interview with the media.